Raymond Jonson: Pioneer of Southwestern Abstraction Raymond Jonson (July 18, 1891 – May 10, 1982), was an American-born modernist painter celebrated for his captivating portrayals of the American Southwest. Born Carl Raymond Johnson in Chariton, Iowa, he initially signed his paintings as C. Raymond Johnson but later adopted Raymond Jonson—a deliberate gesture reflecting a profound reconnection with his family’s Swedish heritage and ancestral roots. This subtle stylistic choice served as an emblem of his artistic journey: from meticulous observation of the natural world to fearless exploratio…